Oak Park's Comprehensive Plan process, known as Envision Oak Park, provides a great opportunity for residents to communicate what they believe to be the strengths and weaknesses of the community, and to prioritize what issues are most important for the Village to address in the near term and in the future.
What is a Comprehensive Plan? A Comprehensive Plan serves as a Village’s official guide for land use, physical improvements, local services and development. The Comprehensive Plan provides a foundation for decision-making based on community consensus, community vision, existing conditions and future potentials. The Plan serves as a “road map” for 10 to 15 years into the future by guiding policy decisions and helping the community achieve its long-term objectives.
During November a series of Neighborhood workshops will be held at schools throughout the community. The workshops are highly participatory and you don't have to be an expert to participate, you just have to care about your community and be willing to share your ideas about your vision for Oak Park's future. Click on read more to get the complete schedule or check out the official web site for Envision Oak Park for details, ongoing updates and additional ways to participate.
The planning process is designed to promote community involvement and encourage citizen participation. Community outreach is included throughout the entire planning process. We know that the success of this planning effort will depend on engaging the Oak Park community. This website is just one of many ways you can participate in the planning process. Opportunities to participate at a meeting or workshop are listed below.
The Envision Oak Park process includes several series of community workshops, each one with a specific purpose or focus. The following series of workshops will cover a broad spectrum of topics and stakeholder interests. The Community Workshop series is the first opportunity for residents to provide face-to-face input regarding Village issues, challenges, and aspirations. Conversations will focus on Village-wide issues. (For conversations related to neighborhood-specific issues, see the Neighborhood Workshop series.) Those who which to participate should come to one of the following workshops:
November Neighborhood Workshop Series Focus: Neighborhood-specific issues and desires Targeted stakeholders: Neighborhood residents (meetings are geographically specific as noted below)
The Neighborhood Workshop series is an opportunity for residents of specific neighborhoods to provide face-to-face input regarding local issues, challenges, and aspirations. Conversations will focus more specifically on neighborhood issues than the Community Workshops. NOTE: Residents should attend the Neighborhood Workshop located at their designated elementary school based on district boundaries. Those who which to participate should come to one of the following workshops:
Monday, November 5, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
- Hatch Elementary School Auditorium, 1000 N. Ridgeland Ave.
- Whittier Elementary School Auditorium, 715 N. Harvey Ave.
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
- Lincoln Elementary School Auditorium, 1111 S. Grove Ave.
- Irving Elementary School Auditorium, 1125 S. Cuyler Ave.
Monday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
- Beye Elementary School Auditorium, 230 N. Cuyler Ave.
- Longfellow Elementary School Auditorium, 715 S. Highland Ave.
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
- Mann Elementary School Auditorium, 921 N. Kenilworth Ave.
- Holmes Elementary School Auditorium, 508 N. Kenilworth Ave.
Boards and Commissions Workshop Series Focus: Issues related to administering various Village ordinances and programs Targeted stakeholders: Elected or appointed members of Village boards and commissions
The Boards and Commissions Workshop series will be an opportunity for elected and appointed Village officials to discuss issues and challenges related to establishing and administering local ordinances, programs and policies. The dates of two Boards and Commissions Workshops are yet to be determined. Board and commission members who wish to participate may attend either of the two workshops.
